Kiln in Hancock County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
NASA John C. Stennis Space Center
AIAA Historic Aerospace Site
1. NASA John C Stennis Space Center Marker
This rocket propulsion test complex was created to flight-certify all first and second stages of the Apollo Saturn V rocket. The first test-firing occurred on April 23, 1966. Subsequent to the Apollo Program, these test stands were modified to support the testing requirements of the Space Shuttle Main Engine. Every astronaut who traveled to the moon aboard Saturn V Rockets and into space aboard the Space Shuttle, did so on rocket stages and engines that were first proven flight-worthy on these test stands.
Erected 2008 by American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. In addition, it is included in the AIAA Historic Aerospace Sites series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 23, 1966.
Location. 30° 20.929′ N, 89° 36.819′ W. Marker is in Kiln, Mississippi, in Hancock County. It can be reached from Mississippi Route 607 near Interstate 10. Stennis Space Center is not open to the public. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Kiln MS 39556, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: John C. Stennis Space Center (approx. 0.6 miles away); Napoleon (approx. 1.8 miles away);
this page online
More about this marker. In 2025 plans were underway to mount this plaque in a new quad area under construction in the middle of the center.
Stennis Space Center is not open to the public.
The Infinity Science Center is a small museum located nearby which is open to the public, with an admission fee.
Also see . . . List of AIAA Historic Aerospace Sites. This is one of 58 plaques dedicated by AIAA between 2000 and 2013. They began dedicating new plaques again in 2025. (Submitted on March 3, 2025.)
courtesy NASA
2. Marker Dedication - 2008
courtesy NASA
3. Stennis Space Center
First test of Saturn V S-IC-5 rocket stage on B-2 Test Stand
courtesy NASA
4. Stennis Space Center
Space Shuttle Main Engines test.
courtesy NASA
5. NASA John C. Stennis Space Center
Credits. This page was last revised on May 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 3, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 397 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 3, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
